Torque controlled well jar



July 31, 1951 E. o. LOWE TORQUE CONTROLLED WELL JAR Filed Dec. 12, 1947 A? TTORAAFY Patented July 31, 1 951 i Elmo 0. Lowe, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application December 12, 1947, Serial No. 791,262

17 Claims.

This invention relates to a torque controlled well jar and it is a general object of the invention to provide a jar operable in a well such as an oil well and which involves a self-releasing latch normally held engaged by a torsional member subject to adjustment to give the latch the desired action.

The present invention is concerned primarily with a jar which is wholly self-contained and which is operable between a fish or'object stuck in a well and an operating string, to jar the fish to dislodge it. Torque controlled jars are old and well known in the art, those in general use being controlled not by torque within the jar itself but by torque set up in the operating string, making it necessary that the string be under torsional strain as well as under longitudinal strain,

the longitudinal strain being established to give the jar the desired upward hammering action.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide a jar in which the hammer elements are under control of a latch released by longitudinal strain applied to the jar and in which there is a torque element preset and applying pressure to the latch parts normally holding them engaged. With the construction of the present invention the latch parts are formed. independently of the torsional member, the general construction being such that the latch parts maybe heavy and sturdy in form and construction and may be coupled or related to the hammer parts in a most practical and advantageous manner. The torsional member is such that it may be of a form and design such as to most advantageously gain the desired torsional action.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a jar of the general character referred to wherein the torque element is held through a,

connection adjustable to vary the torque maintained in the torque element. With the construction of the present invention the adjustment for the torque means or torque element is directly confined or related to the torque element itself,

being incorporated in the connection provided between one end of the torque element and the part supporting it.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a jar of the general character referred towherein there is a central longitudinal circulation opening extending entirely through the construction, the circulation being conducted by the torque member which, in effect, serves not only as a torque member; but also as a wash pipe.

The various objects and features of myinvencompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a well showing an object stuck or lodged therein and showing the jar of the present invention coupled to an operating string and attached to an object in a well through a suitable fishing tool. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal detailed view of the jar showing it in the normal or unactuated position and showing various parts broken away and in section to illustrate the details of construction. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the jar actuated.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 4-4 on Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 5-5 on Fig. 2, and Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken as indicated by line 66 on Fig. 3.

The jar provided by the present invention is intended primarily for use in an oil well when it is desired to dislodge a stuck part through jarring action. In the case illustrated the jar is shown coupled to the lower end of an operating string S and it is shown attached to the lodged object l0 through a suitable fishing tool T.

So far as the broader principles of the invention are concerned, the operating string S does not need to be a tubular string such as a string of drill pipe, as shown in the drawings, but

may be of any suitable character so long as it is possible to communicate tensile strain therethrough. It is desirable, in most cases, however, to be able to rotate the usual fishing tool T and therefore I have shown a construction that can be used to particular advantage with a string S of pipe, or the like, so that torque can be communicated from the string S through the jar and to the tool T to facilitate operation of the tool.

The jar provided by the present invention preferably includes, generally, a hammer mechanism X and a control means Y. The hammer mechanism is characterized by two telescopically related elements or sections one an outer or shell one a lug bearing element E and the other an element F having parts forming a keeper. The control means further involves an engaging means serving to normally yieldingly hold the elements E and F engaged, the engaging means being characterized by a single torsional member or torsion tube H having one end anchored to latch element E while the other end is anchored to latch element F.

The latch elements 13.: and F have engaging or cooperating parts normally engaged and acting to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the latch elements. The normally engaged parts of the latch elements cooperate so as to release or disengage, and thus allow relative" longitudinal movement between the latch elements, through the application of longitudinal strain or forces to the latch elements tending to move them relative to each other. The elements E and F are engaged with the shell A and mandrel B of the hammer mechanism, respectively, so that the desired longitudinal strain may beimparted to them from the string S through the hammer mechanism.

The shell section A of the hammer mechanism is the outer section of that mechanism and preferably includes an elongate tubular body 20 carrying the striker head H at its lower end and provided with a coupling 2! at its upper end. The body is provided with an internal support 2-2 that carries the head, 35 provided on the latch element E as hereinafter described. A bore 23 enters the body 20 from its upper end and terminates at thesupport 22. The bore 23 accommodates the head of latch element E. A bore 24 enters the body 29 from its lower end and terminates at the support 22. The bore 21% accommodates the latch element F and the anvil ii. of the mandrel B.

r The striker head H carried by the lower end of the body 28 is shown threaded to the body 28 and is provided with an upper end face 25 which is a hammer face for engaging the anvil l2. The lower end 26 of the head ll may be employed as a hammer face to engage a part of the mandrel when it is desired to jar downwardly.

The coupler 2| at the upper end of the body 20 is shown threaded thereto, and in practice may be any suitable coupling affording the desired connection between the operating string and the jar. The particular coupler 25 is shown provided with a central bore or opening 21 such as to receive a part of the latch mechanism as will be hereinafter described. I

The mandrel section B of the hammer mechanism is shown as involving a shank 3B entering the body 26 of section A through the striker head i l and provided within the body 20 with the anvil l2. A coupler 3| is provided on the lower or outer end of the shank 30. The coupler 3| presents a top face 32 to be engaged by the hammer face 26 of head II. The coupler 3| serves as a suitable connection between the jar and the tool T.

v The latch elements E and F are concentric tubular parts telescopically related and supported within the body 20 of the hammer mechanism. The latch element F which is, in effect, a keeper, is coupled or engaged with the shank 30 of the mandrel B, for instance, it may be integral therewith as shown in the drawings, while the lu bearing element E is coupled or engaged with the shell section A through the lug S and may engage the support 22 in the body 20 of section A, as shown in Fig. 2.

The lug bearing element E of the latch mechanism has an enlarged upper end portionor head 35 carried in bore 23 of body and seated on the support 22 in the body 2! The element E. has a lug carrier 36 tubular in form and depending from the head 35 through the support 22 and extending a substantial distance downwardly in the body 20, or in the latch element F which is in the body 20. A plurality of lugs 3'! projects radially from the lug carrier 36. The lugs are spaced apart longitudinally of the structure and are preferably arranged in a line'f longitudinally thereof.

The keeper element F' of thela'tch'rneans is a tubular part slidably engaged in the bore 24 of body 20 and surrounding the depending lug carrier 36 of element E. A longitudinal channel 40 is provided in the tubular element F and a plurality of latch recesses M extend laterallyin the element F from the channel. The lugs and recesses are related so that when longitudinal force is applied to the latch mechanism tending to move the latch elements E and F relative to each other longitudinally of the structure the lugs tend to move out of the recessesand will do so unless retained. In the particular case illustrated the upper faces 44 of the lugs and the opposing upper faces &5 of the recesses 'are pitched or inclined so that when force is communicated to element F tending to move it upwardly relative to element E the lugs tend to become disengaged from the recesses. e

The keeper element F is held from its lower end which'is shown integrallyjoined to the upperend of mandrel B, the element F being shown connected directly and integrally with the anvil portion l2 of mandrel B.

The torsional element H of the control means is an elongate tubular part located within the ele-.

ment E and has its upper 'end coupled or joined to element E through means 50 and has its lower end coupled to element F through means 5| so it ma be maintained under torsional strain. 'The' means 56 connects the torsion tube H to the head 35 of element F while the means 51 slidably, cou-. ples the lower end portion of the tube H to the shank 39 of mandrel B, the shank 38 being joined with the lower end of element F through the anvil portion l2. In the particular construction illus-' trated the lower end portion of. the torsion tube.

I-I extends a substantial distance below the lower end 54 of the element E in order to pass through." the anvilv l2 and into the shank portion 50 of' mandrel B.

The means 5| securing the lower end of the torsion tube H connects the lower end of the torsion tube to the shank 30 so that these parts are held against relativerotation but are left free to move longitudinally relative 'to each other. In the particular case illustrated the means 5! involves a plurality of keys 60 projecting from the exterior ofthe torque tube H. and

slidably engaged in keyways 6| in the interior of the shank 30L a The means 50 coupling the upper end of the torsion tube H to the latch element F is an adjustable connection normally looking or conthe drawings involves an. enlargement or head 63 on the upper end of the torque tube H which head 63 is seated :in a socket 64 provided in the upper end of the head 35 of element F. The; head 63 and socket 64 are polygonal in cross sectional configuration, Say for instance, hexagonal, as shownin Fig. 4, with the result that the'upper end .of the tube H cannotturn relative to'the element E when the head 63 is engaged in the socket 64. In practice any suitable means may, be provided for retaining the head 63 in the socket 64. I have shown a spring Biserving this function, the spring being arranged between the lower end 66 of coupler 2| on the upper end of body 20 and a washer 61 that bears on the head 63. The spring 65 normally holds the head 63 engaged in the socket 64 and the head 35' engaged with the support 22 and is such as to allow downward movement of the shell section A relative to the mandrel B enough to allow the striker face 26' to engage the top face 32 of coupler 3|. In practice an operating stem 10 is provided on the torque tube H to facilitate operation or rotation of the torque tube necessary for setting the torque tube under the desired torsional; strain. The stem 10 is shown projecting upwardly above the head 63 and may extend into the bore 21 of coupling 2|. It is preferred that the parts be proportioned so that the stem 10 is accessible and can be readily engaged when the coupler 2| is detached from the body 20 and it may be provided with flat sides H to be engaged by a suitable operating tool such as a wrench.

In the form of the invention shownin the drawings the key 80 and the latch elements act so that torque may be communicated to the tool T from the string S. In the case illustrated the desired torque is communicated from the body 20 of section A to the shank 30 of section B through the latch element F. The head 35 of the latch element E is provided with an external rib 80 which operates in a longitudinal groove or keyway 8| in the body, so that the head 35 is held against rotation relative to the body 20. It is to be understood that the keyed construction just described need not be used when it is not required that the mandrel B be rotatable from the string S. V

In operating the mechanism of the present invention the various parts are arranged and related in the manner hereinabove described, the torque tube H being preset and thus twisted by the application of torsional force through the stem 10 so that the desired initialtorsional strain is set up in the torque tube. The torque tube. being a long, slender element free between its end portions torque applied to its upper end in a clockwise direction will. set up strains causing the upper end portion of the tube to rotate somewhat in a clockwise direction carrying with it element E which is coupled to its upper end so that the lugs on element E enter the recesses 4i. When the desired torque has been set up in the tube the head of the torque tube is engaged in the socket 64 so the upper end portion of the tube H is locked to element E so these parts are held against relative rotation with the torque in the tube releasably holding the lugs 31 in the recesses 4 I. 1 I

Assuming the tool T engaged with the lodged member In, the operating string S is put under tension. As tension is applied to string s it is communicated to the latch members E and F, tending to move the lug element E upward relative to the keeper element F. When the upward strain reaches a predetermined value theforce or torsional strain preset in the torque tube H, and normally yieldingly holding the lugs 31 in the recesses 4|, is overcome by the sliding of the. lugs along the faces 45. The upper end portion of the torque tube rotates somewhat relative tov the lower end of, he tube .as this action takes.

7Q; ried.v by I the mandrel and extending upwardlyplacefand' the lugs move out of the recesses into the channel. This releases the sections of the hammer mechanism so that section A can move upward relative to section B, due to the tension. on string S, causing the hammer face 25 to strike,

the anvil l2. As the latch mechanism is thus released the lug-element E thereof will rotate somewhat carrying with it the body section A, and consequently the lower end portion of the string S. However, this rotation will, in practice, be slight and for all practical purposes negligible. Following the striking of the anvil by the hammerhead H the mechanism is reestablished ready for operation by merely lowering the body A relative to the mandrel B until such time as the lugs are moved opposite the recesses 4| whereupon the upper end portion of the torque tube I-I rotates in a clockwise direction relative to the lower end of the tube moving the lugs into the recesses, thus resetting the mechanism ready for another operation.

The torque tube is open at both ends so it may act as a wash pipe conducting flow between the string S andtool T. 7

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A jar of the character described including,

a tubular body carrying a hammer head, a mandrel extending into the body through the head and having an anvil within the body, a tubular latch element carried by the body and depending downwardly therein, a tubular latch element separable from and carried by the mandrel and extending upwardly therefrom, and a torque tube under torsional deflection with its upper end coupled with the first mentioned latch element and its lower end coupled with the other latch element, the latch elements having cooperating parts disengaged by force tending to move the latch elements longitudinally relative to each other and normally yieldingly held engaged by,

the torque tube.

2. A jar of the character described including, a tubular body carrying a hammer head, a mandrel extending into the body through the head and having an anvil within the body, a tubular' latch element carried by and within the body and depending downwardly therein, a tubular latch element carried by the mandrel and extending upwardly therefrom and into the first mentioned latch element, and a torque tube within the inner latch element and preset under torsional deflec-.

a tubular body carrying a hammer head, a mandrel extending into the body through the head and having an anvil within the body, a tubularlatch' element carried by the body and depending downwardly therein, a tubular latch element cartherefrom and into the first mentioned latch element, a torque tube within the inner latch element and normally torsionally deflected so one end is turned relative to the other, means coupling the upper end of the tube with the first mentioned latch element, and means coupling the lower end of the tube with the other latch element.

4. A jar of the character described including, a tubular body carrying a hammer head, a mandrel extending into the body through the head and having an anvil within the body, a tubular latch element carried by the body and depending downwardly therein, a tubular latch element carried by the mandrel and extending upwardly therefrom and into the first mentioned latch element, a torque tube within the inner latch element and normally torsionally deflected so one end is turned relative to the other, means coupling the upper end of the tube with the first mentioned latch element, and means coupling the lower end of the tube with the other latch element, one of said means including a part on the tube adjustably engaged with a latch element.

5. A jar of the character described including, a tubular body carrying a hammer head, a mandrel extending into the body through the head and having an anvil within the body, a tubular latch element carried by the body and depending downwardly therein, a tubular latch element carried by the mandrel and extending upwardly therefrom and into the first mentioned latch element, a torque tube within the inner latch element and normally torsionally deflected so one end is turned relative to the other, means coupling the upper end of the tube with the first mentioned latch element, and means coupling the lower end of the tube with the other latch element, one of said means including a sliding connection connecting the tube and latch element against relative rotation and for reciprocation relative to each other.

6. A jar of the character described including, a tubular body carrying a hammer head, a mandrel extending into the body through the head and having an anvil within the body, a tubular latch element carried by the body and depending downwardly therein, a tubular latch element carried by the mandrel and extending upwardly therefrom and into the first mentioned latch element, a torque tube within the inner latch element and normally torsionally deflected so one end is turned relative to the other, means coupling the upper end of the tube with the first mentioned latch element, and means coupling the lower end of the tube with the other latch element, the first mentioned means including a part on the tube engaging in various rotative positions with the latch element.

7. A jar of the character described including, a tubular body carrying a hammer head, a mandrel extending into the body through the head and having an anvil within the body, a tubular latch element carried by the body and depending downwardly therein, a tubular latch element carried by the mandrel and extending upwardly therefrom and into the first mentioned latch element, a torque tube within the inner latch element and normally torsionally deflected so one end is turned relative to the other, means coupling the upper end of the tube with the first mentioned latch element, and means coupling the lower end of the tube with the other latch element, the first mentioned means including a part on the tube engaging in various rotative positions with the latch element, and theother" of said means including longitudinal key mem-:

bers slidably connecting the tube and mandrel.

8; A jar of the character described including a hammer mechanism including relatively reciprocating rigid hammer and anvil sections, coopcrating rigid latch elements each coupled to one portion anchored to the other latch element, the

torque member being subject to twist so its end portions may be rotatably deflected one relative to the other, the torque member being preset with torsional strain in it normally yieldingly tending to rotate one of its end portions relative to the other and holding said parts of the latch ele ments normally engaged.

9. A jar of the character described including, a hammer mechanism including relatively reciprocating hammer and anvil sections, cooperating telescopically related rigid latch elements coupled to said sections to be reciprocated relative to each other by the sections, and controlling movement of the sections, the latch elementsbein reciprocated relative to each other by relative longitudinal movement between the sections and having cooperatively engaged parts normally holding the elements against relative reciprocation and disengaged by force communicated to the latch elements from said sections and generated by strain applied to the jar tending to move one section relative to the other, and an elongate tubular torque member subject to having one end twisted around relative to the other and having one end anchored to one latch element and the other end anchored to the other latch element, the torque member being located within both of the latch elements and normally under torsional strain tending to rotate one end relative to the other and communicated to the latch elements thereby normally yieldingly holding the said parts enga ed.

10. A jar of the character described including, a hammer mechanism including relatively reciprocating hammer and anvil sections, one a tubular body and the other a mandrel enteringone end of the body, cooperating latch elements coupled to said sections to be reciprocated relative to each other by the sections and controlling relative movement between the sections, the latch elements having cooperatively engaged parts normally holding the elements against relative reciprocation and disengaged by force communicated to the latch elements from said sections and generated by tension applied to the jar tending to move one section relative to the other,

and a single elongate tubular torque member subject to twisting so one end turns relative to the other and normally under strain communicated to the latch elements to normally yieldingly hold the said parts engaged, the torque 9 elongate tubularrb'odyaand:the'other an mandrel entering. one end of the, body,v cooperating latch elements coupled 'to' said sctionstobe'reciprocated relative to each other by the sections and controlling, relative movement between the sections,.the latch elements having cooperatively engaged: parts normally holding ,the elements against relative reciprocation and" disengaged by force .communicatedtoj the latch, elements ,from

said sections and" generated by'tension applied to the jar tending to move one section relative to the other, and an elongate tubular torque member substantially coextensive with the body and subject to twisting so one end turns relative to the other and normally under strain communicated to the latch elements to normally yieldingly hold the said parts engaged, the torque member having one end anchored to one latch element and having the other end anchored to the other latch element.

12. A jar of the character described including, a hammer mechanism including relatively reciprocating hammer and anvil sections, cooperating latch elements coupled to said sections to be reciprocated relative to each other by the sections and controllin relative movement between the sections, the latch elements having cooperatively engaged parts normally holding the elements against relative reciprocation and disengaged by force communicated to the latch elements from said sections and generated by torsional strain tending to move the sections relative to each other, and a torque member subject to being twisted so one end turns relative to the other and under preset torsional strain acting on the latch elements to normally yieldingly hold the said parts engaged, the latch elements being within the hammer mechanism and the torque member being within the latch elements with one end anchored to one latch element and the other end anchored to the other latch element.

13. A jar of the character described including, a hammer mechanism including relatively reciprocating hammer and anvil sections one with a tubular body portion, cooperating latch elements within the body portion and coupled to said sections and controlling relative movement between the sections, the latch elements having cooperatively engaged parts normally holding the elements against relative reciprocation and disengaged by force communicated to the latch elements from said sections and generated by torsional strain tending to move the sections relative to each other, a torque tube within the latch elements and subject to being twisted so one end turns relative to the other and under preset torsional strain, means coupling one end of the torque tube to one of the latch elements, and means coupling the other end of the torque tube to the other latch element, the tube acting to normally yieldingly hold the latch elements with said parts cooperatively engaged.

14. A jar of the character described including, a hammer mechanism including relatively reciprocating hammer and anvil sections one with a tubular body portion, cooperating latch elements coupled to said sections and controlling relative movement between the sections, the latch elements extending longitudinally within the body portion'and having cooperatively engaged parts disengaged by force communicated to the latch elements from said sections and generated to torsional strain tending to move the sections relative-to each-other, a torque tube within the latch elements and subjectto being twisted so'one end turns relative to the other and under preset torsional strain, means coupling one end of the tube with one end-of one latchelement, and means coupling the other end of the tube with the opposite end of the-other latch element, the strain-"preset in the-tube acting through said latch elements to. yieldingly hold said parts-cooperatively engaged.

latch elements and subject to bein twisted so one end turns relative to the other and under preset torsional strain, means coupling one end of the torque tube to one of the latch elements, and means coupling the other end of the torque tube to the other latch element, one of said means coupling the tube and a latch element against relative rotation and for reciprocation relative to each other, the strain preset in the tube actin through said latch elements to yieldingly hold said parts cooperatively engaged.

16. A jar of the character described including, a hammer mechanism including relatively reciprocating hammer and anvil sections, one having a tubular body portion, cooperating latch elements Within the body portion and coupled to said sections and controlling relative movement between the sections, the latch elements having cooperatively engaged parts normally holding the elements against relative reciprocation and disengaged by force communicated to the latch elements from said sections and generated by torsional strain tendin to move the sections relative to each other, a torque tube within the latch elements subject to being twisted so one end turns relative to the other and under preset torsional strain, means coupling one end of the torque tube to one of the latch elements, and means coupling the other end of the torque tube to the other latch element, one of said means including parts adjustable relative to each other to vary torque in the tube, the strain preset in the tube acting through said latch elements to yieldingly hold said parts cooperatively engaged.

17. A jar of the character described including, a hammer mechanism including relatively reciprocating hammer and anvil sections one having a tubular body portion, cooperating latch elements within the body portion and coupled to said sections and controlling relative movement between the sections, the latch elements having cooperatively engaged parts normally holding the elements against relative reciprocation and disengaged by force communicated to the latch elements from said sections and generated by torsional strain tending to move the sections relative to each other, a torque tube within the body portion subject to being twisted so one end turns relative to the other and under preset torsional strain, means coupling one end of the torque tube to one of the latch elements, and 7 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

5 UNITED STATES PA' I'EN'IS Number Name Date 2,056,496 White Oct. 6, 1936 2,065,262 Barkelew etal Dec. 22, 1936 10 2,101,968 Wickersham Dec. 14, 1937 

